Because it was a rainy day,
the windowsills outside the classroom corridor were covered with colorful umbrellas.
Water dripped from them, leaving wet patches all over the wall and the floor along it.
Only wet umbrellas needed to hang outside. Dry ones naturally did not.
Chen Shi'an shook all the droplets off his umbrella and folded it up, ready to take it into the classroom.
"Holy shit! Daoist Master, your umbrella is so damn cool! Can I take a look?"
"Sure."
Zou Xiaokun, who had just hung up his own umbrella nearby, could not resist picking up the Daoist Master's umbrella to examine it.
It felt remarkably well-made in his hands. There was no manufacturer's logo on it. The canopy was ordinary polyester, and its eight ribs were ordinary stainless steel strips, but the handle and central shaft were solid wood. He could tell it had been used for years. The wooden handle had been worn smooth and rounded, its grain clearly visible. Instead of the usual hook-and-loop fastening, the strap used to secure the umbrella was simply a cord tied by hand.
"Daoist Master, how long have you had this umbrella?"
"That depends on which part you mean."
"The canopy was replaced five years ago," Chen Shi'an said. "The handle and ribs must be several decades old. My master used it before me."
"You replaced the canopy but kept the frame?"
"Right."
"Awesome! No wonder the wooden handle is even smoother than my grandpa's walnuts. Did you get someone to replace the canopy?"
"I did it myself. Just bought the material, cut it, and fitted it."
"You're amazing, Daoist Master! You can forage in the mountains, make candy, and even make umbrellas!"
"You follow me on Douyin too, Xiao Kun?"
"Of course! Daoist Master, I've been your fan for